Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on productivity measures in cow-calf systems and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of a single injection of extended-release eprinomectin on economically relevant production variables in beef cows and calves as well as subsequent feedlot health, performance and carcass traits of calves compared to a traditional, short-duration anthelmintic. Animals from 13 cooperator herds across 7 states were stratified within herd and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; injectable doramectin (DOR) or injectable extended-release eprinomectin (EPR). There were no differences in pre-weaning cow or calf performance including weight, ADG, reproductive success, or weaning weight. Although EPR cows did have a lower incidence of pinkeye, there were no differences in pinkeye incidence of calves. Fecal samples collected at the start and end of the grazing season indicated a greater reduction in fecal egg counts (FEC) for EPR cows, however, FEC at each timepoint were well below threshold indicative of clinical parasitism. When evaluating feedlot performance, EPR calves tended to have lower incidence of morbidity, however there were no differences in growth performance. When evaluating carcass traits, calves treated with EPR during the pre-weaning phase had a greater marbling score and a greater average quality grade. While there were noted improvements for EPR calves during the feedlot phase including improved morbidity and quality grade, we believe that a lack of parasitic infection during the grazing season may have resulted in a lack of performance differences in this study

Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on productivity measures in cow–calf systems and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of a single injection of extended-release eprinomectin on economically relevant production variables in beef cows and calves as well as subsequent feedlot health, performance, and carcass traits of calves compared with a traditional, short duration anthelmintic. Animals from 13 cooperator herds across seven states were stratified within herd and assigned to one of two treatments; injectable doramectin (DOR; Dectomax; n = 828) or injectable eprinomection (EPR; Longrange; n = 832). Fecal samples were randomly collected from a subset of cows at both treatment and the end of grazing to evaluate fecal egg count (FEC). Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS, respectively. Cow treatment body weight (BW) and final BW were not different (P ≥ 0.40) between treatments. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.12) between treatments in cow ADG, change in BW, or body condition scores during the grazing season. While FEC at treatment did not differ (P = 0.18), cows treated with EPR had lower final FEC at the end of the grazing season (P = 0.02) and a greater reduction of FEC over the grazing season (P = 0.01). Calf treatment BW, weaning BW, and ADG did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.34). Incidence of pinkeye tended to be less (P = 0.06) for cows treated with EPR but was not different for calves (P = 0.43). Conception to AI, overall pregnancy rates, and calving interval were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.45). A subset of calves from each herd was sent to Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF) feedlot for the finishing phase. Calf BW did not differ at initiation of feeding (P = 0.20). While EPR calves tended to be heavier at reimplantation (P = 0.07), final BW and overall ADG were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.13). Health records indicated lower morbidity for EPR calves (P = 0.05). Carcass performance including HCW, dressing percent, backfat, KPH, REA, YG, were not different between treatment groups (P ≥ 0.12). However, EPR calves had a greater marbling score, greater average quality grade (P \u3c 0.01), and higher proportion of calves that graded average choice or greater (P = 0.03). Results of this study indicate no difference in cow or preweaning calf performance, however, carcass quality in the feedlot phase was improved. Thus, economic analysis indicates opportunities for return on investment if animals treated with EPR have improved health status and/or carcass quality during the feeding phase

Vaccines: Handle with Care

A strong vaccination program can have a sizable impact on a cattle herd, both in dollars spent and on the herd’s health. The expectation is vaccines will protect cattle from having detrimental health problems due to infectious diseases. Given the importance of vaccines in an animal health program, proper handling is vital to assure that the product is effective. Improper handling can render the product useless</p

Vaccines: Handle with Care

A strong vaccination program can have a sizable impact on a cattle herd, both in dollars spent and on the herd’s health. The expectation is vaccines will protect cattle from having detrimental health problems due to infectious diseases. Given the importance of vaccines in an animal health program, proper handling is vital to assure that the product is effective. Improper handling can render the product useles

Internal Parasites in Grazing Ruminants

Grazing animals are exposed to parasites throughout the grazing season. Both external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, flies, and lice, and internal parasites can infest animals and impact health and performance of grazing livestock. Even at relatively low levels, parasites can decrease animal performance and have negative economic impacts on producer profitability. Implementing a good parasite control program is an important component of herd health. This publication will focus on understanding and controlling internal parasites in grazing ruminants.</p

Internal Parasites in Grazing Ruminants

Grazing animals are exposed to parasites throughout the grazing season. Both external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, flies, and lice, and internal parasites can infest animals and impact health and performance of grazing livestock. Even at relatively low levels, parasites can decrease animal performance and have negative economic impacts on producer profitability. Implementing a good parasite control program is an important component of herd health. This publication will focus on understanding and controlling internal parasites in grazing ruminants

Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on productivity measures in cow-calf systems and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of a single injection of extended-release eprinomectin on economically relevant production variables in beef cows and calves as well as subsequent feedlot health, performance and carcass traits of calves compared to a traditional, short-duration anthelmintic. Animals from 13 cooperator herds across 7 states were stratified within herd and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; injectable doramectin (DOR) or injectable extended-release eprinomectin (EPR). There were no differences in pre-weaning cow or calf performance including weight, ADG, reproductive success, or weaning weight. Although EPR cows did have a lower incidence of pinkeye, there were no differences in pinkeye incidence of calves. Fecal samples collected at the start and end of the grazing season indicated a greater reduction in fecal egg counts (FEC) for EPR cows, however, FEC at each timepoint were well below threshold indicative of clinical parasitism. When evaluating feedlot performance, EPR calves tended to have lower incidence of morbidity, however there were no differences in growth performance. When evaluating carcass traits, calves treated with EPR during the pre-weaning phase had a greater marbling score and a greater average quality grade. While there were noted improvements for EPR calves during the feedlot phase including improved morbidity and quality grade, we believe that a lack of parasitic infection during the grazing season may have resulted in a lack of performance differences in this study.</p

Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on productivity measures in cow–calf systems and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of a single injection of extended-release eprinomectin on economically relevant production variables in beef cows and calves as well as subsequent feedlot health, performance, and carcass traits of calves compared with a traditional, short duration anthelmintic. Animals from 13 cooperator herds across seven states were stratified within herd and assigned to one of two treatments; injectable doramectin (DOR; Dectomax; n = 828) or injectable eprinomection (EPR; Longrange; n = 832). Fecal samples were randomly collected from a subset of cows at both treatment and the end of grazing to evaluate fecal egg count (FEC). Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS, respectively. Cow treatment body weight (BW) and final BW were not different (P ≥ 0.40) between treatments. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.12) between treatments in cow ADG, change in BW, or body condition scores during the grazing season. While FEC at treatment did not differ (P = 0.18), cows treated with EPR had lower final FEC at the end of the grazing season (P = 0.02) and a greater reduction of FEC over the grazing season (P = 0.01). Calf treatment BW, weaning BW, and ADG did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.34). Incidence of pinkeye tended to be less (P = 0.06) for cows treated with EPR but was not different for calves (P = 0.43). Conception to AI, overall pregnancy rates, and calving interval were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.45). A subset of calves from each herd was sent to Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF) feedlot for the finishing phase. Calf BW did not differ at initiation of feeding (P = 0.20). While EPR calves tended to be heavier at reimplantation (P = 0.07), final BW and overall ADG were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.13). Health records indicated lower morbidity for EPR calves (P = 0.05). Carcass performance including HCW, dressing percent, backfat, KPH, REA, YG, were not different between treatment groups (P ≥ 0.12). However, EPR calves had a greater marbling score, greater average quality grade (P P = 0.03). Results of this study indicate no difference in cow or preweaning calf performance, however, carcass quality in the feedlot phase was improved. Thus, economic analysis indicates opportunities for return on investment if animals treated with EPR have improved health status and/or carcass quality during the feeding phase.This article is published as Andresen, Claire E., Dan D. Loy, Troy A. Brick, Lee L. Schulz, and Patrick J. Gunn. "Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on productivity measures in cow–calf systems and subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves." Translational Animal Science 3, no. 1 (2019): 273-287. doi: 10.1093/tas/txy115.</p